Article-handling system



' March 4,1958" A. B. SEGUR' ARTICLE-HANDLING SYSTEM Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 25, 1952 172 Qwmwivn Q5/1128 .zge gm/ dflaw-meg March 4, 1958 7 Sheets$he'et 2 Q Filed Nov. 25. 1952 a a w 2 M X M v n o o o o a o o o o o m o o o o o o o o o o 6 n Mm e H nunnm nnnnum m nmmmmmmiam 2 nnnnnnnnunm 1 BBEEBEBBIB I mmmmmmwwmm k 2 2 J mm ummmmmmmnm nnnmnnnnnnn miaammmmma -g umminunmmiu I Bamwnmmmmm minnnnmmmmm 6,: BBBBEEBEBE nmmminnnnmi f @BEBEEBBIE nnnmimiminn r miammmmima nminnmnnmmi I wmmmmmmimi o0. minaminunam BBBBEBBBIB nminnnnmina j I EBEBEBBBEE g o o o o o o O o o a p o o c o o o o o o 0 WW M A M I 1 V M n U ,H m

A. B. SEGUR ARTICLE HANDL-ING SYSTEM Maich 4, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 NGGG GG.GGGGGGGGGGGGG GG Filed Nov. 25. 1952 -March 4, 1958 A. B. SEGUR' 2,825,103

Y ARTICLE-HANDLING SYSTEM 7 Filed Nov. 25, 1952 Sheets-Sheet 4 "H HHHHHI March 4, 1958 A. la SEGUR 2,825

. ARTICLE-HANDLING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 25. 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 115 113 35 IL P E 1 A I March 4, 1958 A. B. SEGUR ARTICLE-HANDLING SYSTEM '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 25, 1952 'March 4, 1958 A. B. ssauR 2,825,103

ARTICLE-HANDLING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 25,-1952 I [sheets-sheet 7 I I 22'? v 9 720 aka 3.

United States Patent 2,825,103 ARTICLE-HANDLING SYSTEM Asa B. Segur, Oak Park, 111.

Application November 25, 1952, Serial No. 322,389

16 Claims. (CI. 22-20 My invention relates to an article-handling system and,

'morefpartic'ularly, to a foundry system and method. In

the operation of the conventional foundry the molders are required to do much heavy and unpleasant work which reduces their efliciency and output and materially contributes to labor turnover. In a few foundries this heavy and unpleasant work is eliminated by the installation of complicated, expensive and relatively inflexible automatic machinery, but such mechanization is beyond the financial capacities of'most foundries and is not adapted to their variegated types of work.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved foundry system and method whereby a relatively small capi tal investment in equipment will eliminate most of the heavy'and' unpleasant work, greatly increase the output per man, and materially reduce *costs of production and labor turnover.

- 'Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved foundry system and method utilizing a new principle. p I 1 Another object of my invention is to provide anew and improved system and method which are not necessarily limited to'foundries but may be applied in other fields.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view illustrating a layout of two molding floors at the beginning of the molding operation;

Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and9 show successive steps in the molding operation;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 3 and illustrating part of the apparatus for carrying out my molding system; r i

Fig. 11 is an end elevational view of one of the mold ing floors shown in Figs. 1 to 10;

Fig. 12 is a partial diagrammatic plan view showing the conveying means for transporting the'dumped molds to the points where the castings are removed from the sand and the sand is reconditioned for further use;

' Fig. 13 is a side elevationalview'of the mechanism for dumping the molds;

Fig. 14v is an end view of the mold-carrying tongs, bridge crane,,and locating stops; 7 1

Fig. 15 is, aview showing the pouring of 'the molds; Fig. 16 is a view showing the manner in :which the tongs are utilized to stack thev molds;

Patented Mar. 4, 1958 Fig. 20 is a horizontal sectional view showing positioning of the molds on the tongs;

Fig. 21 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2121flof Fig. 20 showing the positioning guides on the tongs;

Fig. 22 is a side elevational view of an alternative form of bridge crane and tongs;

Fig. 23 is an end view of the crane and tongs of Fig. 22; and

, Fig. 24 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail taken on the line 24- 24 of Fig. 23. V

In the particular embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, my invention is illustrated as being applied to a foundry area consistingof two molding floors 30 and 32 arranged side-by-side, and, for convenience, each floor may be thought of as being approximately sixteen feet inwidth, although the floors may be narrower or wider as desired. Each floor is provided with a portable molding machine 34 preferably of the 'jolt squeeze type and commonly referred-to in the trade'as a grasshopper, although any other suitable typeof molding machine may be utilized. A table 36 is preferably attached to one side of each molding machine for movement therewith. Each molding machine 34 and its associated table 36 is moved lengthwise of its molding floor by a cable 38 attached to a' drum 40 (Fig. l2) driven by an electric motor 42, or other suitable source of power; These electric motors are controlled byswitch mechanisms on the molding machines/in a manner which I shall hereinafter more fully describe. r

; An elongated pile or windrow I lengthwise of each molding floor between one edge there- Fig. 17 is a view showing the utilization of the 'tongs to move, the jackets and waste. from the. mold;

Fig. 18 is a side elevational view partly in section of the pouring ladles and supporting crane illustratingthe manner for positioning the pouring ladles for different groups of molds;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken on the line 19'-.-19;ot

Fig. 18 showing the detail of the mechanism for positioning the ladies; I

of and the path followed by a moldingmachine 34-; Each 'windrow 44 is'preferably, but not necessarily,"interrupted 'byagap 46 for a purpose which appears more fully hereinatfer. A bridge crane 48 spans both molding floors and has rollers 50 (Fig. 11) at opposite ends engaging tracks 52 extending lengthwise of the molding floors and located adjacent the lateral edges of the twofloor area shown in Fig. 1. I

e The particular molding machine or grasshopper selected for purposes of illustration is shown more: fully in Figs. 11, 12 and 14 and comprises a table 54, a movable head 56, and body 58, all carried on a single forward wheel 60 and a pair of rear wheels 62. The separate table 36 is independently mounted on two pairs of wheels 64 and isattached at 66 to the molding machine for movement therewith lengthwise of the molding floor.

1 Stacks of bottom boards 68 are shown upon the table 36 and in Fig. 14 the pattern 70 in current use is illustrated as resting upon the head 56. Core supplies 72 and 74 are shown as located in a rack 76 on the separate table 36. A completed mold 78 with the two-section removable" metal flask 80 still thereon is shown in Fig. 14 on the molding table 54.

My novel foundry system is especially adapted for,

although not limited to, an operation in which the molds are formed by utilizing metal flasks which are removed from each mold as soon as it is formed and utilizedto' make the next and each successive mold. j The flask with the pattern between the two parts thereof is first placed and sand shoveled into the upper part or cope portion this board and apply. a squeeze to further compact the a s sh at P er il I h e hew fi ebqa l;

44 of sand extends spear-a? 82 as separate from the head 56 of the molding machine, in many instances it will be preferable to have this board 82 attached to and carried by the head 56.

The head 56 is then returned to the position shown in Fig. 14, and board 82 removed. The-copesection of the moldis now removed and placed upon the separate table 36 while the-patterniseXt-racted and "placed in the position indicated by the pattern 70 on the head 56. The cope is then again placed uponthe drag and the. two parts of the jacket 80 removedasone and laid upon the table.36. The moldis now completed.

In conventional practice the molder would lift the heavy mold from the molding table 54 and place it upon the floor. Since such molds-frequently weigh -as=much as two hundred or two hundred and fifty pounds, this is a tiring and unpleasant operation which consumes much of themmolders energy and time.- Features ofmyinvention are the elimination "of thestooping associated-withplacingthe mold upon the floor andxa reduction to a minimum ofthe distance which the .molder is required to carry the completed mold.v

Referring-particularly to Figs; 11 and I4, it will. be seen that the bridge crane 48 carries two mold supporting racks ortongs 84 each having'a lengthapproximately equal to the width of a molding -fioor. Each pair -of tongs 84 is suspended bycables 86 which can bereeled in or payed out by raising mechanism '88 to raise or-lower the tongs. Each tongs comprises a pair of rec-angular open-side frames 90, and each of these. side frames is provided withan inturned lower lip 92. The upper ends of the side frames 90 are pivoted at 94 to cross-members- 96; The supporting cables '86are attached to'the centers of the cross-members 96.

Anartn 98 is rigid with one of the sides 90 and carries a pin 100-movable ina slot ina second arm 102 rigid with the otherside-M. A- manually operated control bar'l04 is pivoted on the pin 100 and has a cam-106 engageableflwith a *cross-member 96 to hold thelips- 92 in mold engaging position as shown in Fig. 14. When the lanyard 108 is pulled to rotate the control bar 104 and its cam 106 in a clockwise direction, gravity will swing frames-90 to substantially vertical position thereby separating lips 92 so that the tongs can then be raised or lowered without engaging a mold or other article. On the other hand, when the lanyard 11-0 ispulled to return thecontrol bar 104 and cam 106 to the position shown in Fig. 14, lips 92' are brought to the mold supporting or article engaging positionshown in Figs. 13, 14, 16 and 17. Instead of placing the completed mold on the floor, theoperatorsimply lifts'sthebottom' board and mold thereon from the molding table, turnsaround and places the -bot-' tom board and mold in the tongs 84 whichis suspended in the position showninFig- 14 with the lips of the tongs 92 only a slight distance below the molding table 54so that no stooping is requiredfi In placing the mold in the tongs the molder movesthe mold 'through the open side of the tongs and places the mold in a predetermined position on the lips 92. It is important-that the mold be placed in exactly the rightposition on. tongs, -84, and to facilitate the proper location of the molds thereon, clips 112 (Figs. and 21) may be afiixed .to one of the lips 92 for positioningof a mold in abutting relation to one of these clips, as best shown' in Fig. 20. As each successive mold is completed, it is'rnoved by the molder from the molding table- 54 to, his tongs 84 and placed thereon in abutting relationship to one of the clips 112 until the tongs are fully loaded.

Whenthemolders start making molds .the molding machines and bridge crane 48fifwith"its two tongs suspended therefrom are in the, position shown-in Fig. 1. When a molderhas completelyifilledhis tongs with molds he lowers the tongs to rest the molds upon the floor. The

tongs are then treleased; by-spreading the lips .92 and.

returned to the position shown in Fig. 14. The first row of molds formed upon the floor by the respective molders are indicated by reference character 114 in Fig. 2.

It is of the greatest importance that each mold in each row be accurately positioned upon its molding floor. I have already pointed out that the positions of the molds upon the tongs are accurately determined by the clips 112 or any other suitablemarking means to insure proper spacing of the molds lengthwise of the tongs. I shall now describe the meansbwwhichexact positioning of the molds upon thev moldingfioors is effected.

Referring particularly to Figsull, 12, 18 and 19, it will be seen thateachztrack-52 is illustrated as being suspended from an overhead beam. or othersuitable support by space struts 116, although'in many instances it will be preferable to support the track from arms projecting laterally from structural columns located adjacent the molding floor. Transversely extending stops are located at intervals alongeach track. Thesetstops 118 are given any desired,,but.exact, spacing, and accurately determine,

different positions of the bridge crane 48 lengthwise of the molding floors. The crane 48 has a=stop finger 120 constituting one end of a bellcrank 122 pivoted. at 124 to the crane'48. A spring 126 normally holds the lever 122 in engagement with a,lug 128 with the finger 120 in stop-engaging position. The finger 120 maybe moved to the inactive positionshown in dotted lines inlFig. 19 by pulling on a lanyard 130 attachedto the other end of the bellcrank 122. a

. The stops 118' are accuratelypositioned lengthwise of the tracks 52 so that: when the fingers 120 engage the upper sides of these stops, as. viewedin Fig. 10, the bridge crane and tongs can assume a definite series of positions lengthwise of the molding floors. The stops 118 and fingers 120 are of predetermined widths measuredin a direction lengthwiseof the molding floors so that when the fingers 120-erigage the other sides of the stops 118 the bridge crane will assume a second accurate series of positions lengthwise of the molding floors. Inthc draw ings I have shown a series of stops 118 on each of the rails 52 butin some instances it will be preferable to use only a single series of stops in lieu of the two series shown.

When the molders start making molds, the bridge crane 48 is in a position like that indicated in Fig.1 with the fingers 120 engaging predetermined sides of predetermined stops118to-give thebridge crane an exact location lengthwise of the molding floors. When the tongs are filled with,molds,andthesmmoldssthen lowered and placed upon the molding floors to formthefirst. rows 114 (Fig; 2), these-rows are accurately positioned lengthwise of the molding floors The individual molds are also accurately spaced in each row so that, when a row of molds is lowered to the. floor, each mold is accurately located both longitudinally and transversely of the molding floor.

A molderutilizesthe sand in his windrow 44 beginning at the end adjacentthe.bridgecrane 48, and, as thissand is used up in-the -molds,-it is necessary to advancethe molding machine 34..and associated table 36.. This may be accomplished by pressing his shovel against the switch 132. (Fig. 14) which controls the motor 42. The control may be suchthat the moldingmachine is advanced a predetermined distance .each time the switch 132 is operated, but formost purposes it will be sufiicient to provide atwo-button switch or its equivalent so that by touching one buttonethe molding machine will continue to advance. until the other button is touched to stop it. By

' arranging the buttons or equivalent controls so that they can berengaged either .by shovel or. by hand, time and efficiency are ,gainedt since it is not necessary for the molder to release or pick up his shovel to .operatethesc controls. I

" As the sand in the windrow is used and the molding.

advanced from one fixed and exact position to another so that successive rows of molds are deposited on the molding floors with each mold in its proper and exact location. Fig. 2 shows the molding floors with two rows of molds thereon, and a third row in the tongs suspended from the bridge 48. The formation of the molds and the deposition of these molds in rows on the molding floors continues until the first or upper section of each windrow 44 has been exhausted, it being borne in mind that this windrow is made of such size that it corresponds as nearly as possible to the requirements of the successive rows of molds. 7

When the gaps 46 are reached in the windrows the molding machines are advanced until opposite the ends of the next sections of the windrows, and the bridge crane moved correspondingly. The formation of the molds is then resumed and the molds placed upon the molding floors as before, but leaving gap 134 (Fig. 3) between the two groups of molds 136 and 138 on each molding floor. When all of the sand has been made into molds the molding floors are almost completely covered with,

molds except for the gaps 134. This condition of the molding floors is best shown in Figs. 3 and 10.

The molds are now ready to be poured but before the actual pouring operation can commence, it is necessary to place jackets and weights on the molds to be poured first. This may be performed either manually or by us ing the tongs and in a preferred operation jackets and weights will be placed upon the rows 140 and 142 on each molding floor in order to prepare these rows for pouring. A typical jacket is indicated by reference character 144, 'and a typical weight by reference character 146 (Fig. 15). I shall now describe the apparatus utilized in the pouring operation. 7

Referring to Fig. 10, it will be seen that I have provided an overhead rail 148 at one side of the two molding floors. Such rail leads to the molding floors from a point adjacent a furnace and is designed to carry ladles filled with molten metal from the furnace to the molding floors. The rail 148 is provided with switches 150 and 152 and a curved end 154 whereby a ladle traveling on the rail 148 may be transferred to a bridge crane spanning the molding floors and carried by the tracks 52 heretofore referred to. Instead of utilizing the bridge crane 48 for this purpose I preferably provide a second bridge crane 156 which I shall hereinafter refer to as a ladle crane to distinguish it from the bridge crane 48 which is hereinafter referred to as a tongs crane. This ladle crane is also provided with releasable fingers 120 for engaging the stops 118, as shown in detail in Figs. 18 and 19.

At the start of the pouring operation the ladle crane 156 is preferably placed in the position shown in Fig. 10, and the switch 152 is in the right-hand position indicated in that figure so that ladles can be moved along the rail 148 and onto the ladle crane 156. A typical ladle 158 is shown in Fig. 18 as being suspended by a cable 169 from an overhead trolley 162 which can be pulled along the rail 148 and crane 156 by hand or in any other suitable manner. It is important that the pouring spout of the ladle be as close as possible to the top of the mold being poured, and the trolley 162 is provided with a chain hoist or other suitable means 164 to raise and lower the cable 160 which supports the ladle.

The molds in row 140 on floor 32 (Fig. 4) are preferably poured first beginning with the right-hand mold and moving in the direction of the arrow in this figure until the row 140 on each floor has been poured. During this pouring operation the position of the ladle crane is accurately determined by engagement of the fingers 120 with the stops 118, and since the molds are accurately positioned on the moldingfioor, this establishes a predetermined relationship between the ladle and the center line of the rows ofmolds. The trolley 162 which car ries the ladle is moved lengthwise of the ladle crane by hand as the ladle is shifted from mold to mold.

When the pouring starts the finger engages the right-hand side of a stop 118 as shown in Fig. 18 and the ladle crane remains in this position until the ladle is half empty. The lanyards are then pulled to release the fingers 120, the ladle crane moved to the left, and the lanyards released so that the ladle crane now has its fingers 120 engaging the left-hand side of the same stops 118. This moves the ladle backwardly towards the left, as viewed in Fig. 18. to center the spout more accurately over the center line of the row of molds for pouring the last half of the contents of the ladle. In this Figure 18 the ladle is shown at a substantial distance above the top tions of the ladle spout, but it will be understood that in the actual pouring the spout is close to the top of the mold, as shown in Fig. 15.

After the row on each molding floor has been poured, the ladle crane is moved out of the way and the tongs crane is moved to a position over the rows 140. The tongs are then lowered to engage the bottom boards of the molds. Next, the tongs are raised and the tongs crane moved to shift the rows 140 of poured molds to the position shown in Pig. 5 where they are again placed in exact position upon the floor as determined by appropriate stops 118. The tongs are now spread to release the lips from beneath the bottom boards and then these lips are brought together to engage angle irons or similar suitable projections 166 provided on the jackets 144.

The tongs are now lifted to raise the jackets and weights from the molds in the rows 140. Next, the tongs crane is moved to a position immediately above the rows 168 (Fig. 5) and the jackets and weights lowered onto the molds of these rows. Here again the accurate positioning of the tongs crane by the stops 118 and the accurate spacing of the molds transversely and longitudinally of the molding floors makes this possible. The tongs are opened to release the jackets on the molds of rows 168.

The molds in rows 142 are next poured as indicated in Fig. 5, and these rows are then picked up by the tongs and placed on top of the rows 140. This pouring operation proceeds until all of the rows of molds in the groups 136 have been poured and stacked in the center of the molding floor to form the four upper rows shown in Fig. 6. I prefer to stack the poured molds three or four deep in the longitudinal centers of the molding floors and in Fig. 16 l have shown a row of newly poured molds being lowered onto a stack of previously poured molds. Fig. 17 shows the manner in which the tongs remove the jackets and weights from the newly poured molds.

When all of the molds in the groups 136 have been poured, the molds in the groups 138 are poured and stacked in the same manner beginning with the mold indicated by reference character 170 in Fig. 5. The pouring and stacking proceeds as indicated in Fig. 6 until all of the molds have been poured and stacked as shown in Fig. 7. The molds are now ready to be dumped and the castings separated from the sand and bottom boards.

Dumping tables 172 are now placed in the position shown in Fig. 8 and a pair of skips 174 located adjacent one of these tables. Each skip 174 is adapted to be carried by a hook 176 (Fig. 13) suspended from a trolley of the kind used to carry the ladles and movable along the same rail and ladle bridge. In Fig. 13 the skips 174 are shown as being located immediately adjacent a table 172 and beneath the free edge of the pivoted table top 178 which is held in the position shown by a releasable latch 180. The tongs and tongs crane are now operated to lift a stack of poured molds onto the table top .178 with the molds located eccentrically with respect 7 to the pivot 182. The tongs areopenedto release the molds andxthe tongs movedqaway; Latch 18!) isnow released and the stack of molds-tilts the table top about its pivot and falls into the skips 174. Thebottom boards can be manually removed from the skips at this point or a later point, as desired.

These skips travel in a closed, generally rectangular, path of which the ladle .crane forms one side, the track 148 a second side, anda skip ,rail184 (Fig. 12) the other two sides. The skips travel in acounterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 186in Fig. 12. The ships with the dumpedmolds thereinyarepicked upby their respective trolleys and moved aboutthis circuit to the dumping station where the contents-of thegskipsare dumped intoan inclined chute 188 leading to a shake-out 190. The shake-out feeds the castings onto a slat conveyor 192. A belt conveyor (not shown) is preferably located beneath the chute 188 and Shake-out'190 to catch sand falling therethrough and delivers this sand "to a'pit 191. An operator knocks the spruesofi the castings on the conveyor 192 and sorts the castings into the several receptacles 194. The sprues and other parts to be re-. melted are delivered to a bin 196;

This dumping of the stacks of poured molds is continued, as indicated in Fig. 9, until all of the molds have been dumped and the skips containing such dumped molds transferred to the skip dumping station 188; The sand which is separated from the castings is delivered to a ma chine 198 in which this used sand is mixed with fresh sand and otherwise reconditioned for 'further use.. The reconditioned sandis delivered to a loading station '200 where it is placed in skips 174 andcarried to the molding floors. The skips with the reconditioned sand pass onto the ladle crane and can be moved lengthwise of the molding floors to form the windrows 44. The ladle crane and its trolley may be provided with interlocks such as the stops 118 and fingers 120 to insure accurate positioning of the windrows.

While I have described my novel system in' connection with an operation in which all of the molds are made before the pouring begins, this is not essential as the blocks of molds 136 could be poured while the blocks of molds 138 were being made. It will further be understood that my novel system is likewise adapted for other variations to suit particular needs, and that the particular operation herein described is illustrative only. Furthermore, certain features of my invention, and particularly the positioning means and method, are capable of general application and are not limited to foundry operations.

While the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 21 constitutes an effective foundry system for many purposes, variations in the form and type of apparatus used will be desirable under certain conditions. In Figs. 22 to 24 inclusive I have illustrated an alternative form of bridge crane and tongs construction which is particularly advantageous for a foundry making widely variant sizes of molds. This alternative form comprises a bridge crane composed of a pair of spaced but connect'ed'l-beams 202 having a pair of centrally located winding drums 204 driven in either direction by electric motors 206'. The drums 204 raise and lower a single tongs '208"by means of cables 210 which pass around Pulleys 21,2 rotatably carried by the I-beams 202. Theends of the cables are attached to the tongs 208 by hooks and eyes 214.

The single tongs is as wide as the two molding floors and has two sets of d pending arms 21.6 and 218- .An angle iron 220 connects the lower ends of the arms 216 and a second angle iron 222 connects the lower ends of the arms 218. The upper end of each'arm 2161's. attached to ablock 224, and-the upper-end of each arm 218 is attached to a similar block 226. The blocks 224 and 226 slide between opposed channel members 228 and 230. Screws 232 having reversely threaded portions are provided to move the blocks223 and 226 and their depending arms "toward and from each other. 232 is provided with a bevel gear 234 meshing :with a second bevel-gear 236:,on a shaft 238 driven by amotor 240. This motoris of the reversible type so that the screws 232 ean be driven in either direction at will.

The bridge crane has rollers 2421501 supporting the crane from the track 48, or any other suitable track, and may be moved lengthwise'of its track either manual- 1y or by power means as desired. I have shown this particular crane as being provided with a pair of arms 244 for pushingor pulling the bridge along its track. One "arm is provided with a switch 246 ifor operating the ton-gs raising and lowering motors 2Q6 in eitherdi rection, and the-otherarm is provided with a switch 248 for operating the tongsopening and closing motor 246' in either direction. The bridge crane and tongs of this modification is particularly adapted to supporting and transporting molds of widely variant sizes and is equally adapted to carry a row of single molds, as shown in Fig. 22, or a row of stacked molds as indicated in Fig. 23.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be apparent that my novel foundry system operates upon a new principle in that the articles worked upon, namely the molds, are accurately positioned in perpendicular directions on a fiooror-other support by being lowered thereto by gravity lay-overhead means which may be accurately located in different positions and on whichthe workpieces are positioned in rows with accurate spacings between the pieces in each row; Particular attentionis directed to the-relativelysimple and inexpensive nature of. the appa-ratus used, and to th'e fact that my system and method eliminate stooping and other tiring operations, promote efiicienc-y by permitting thewor kmen to utilize theirenergies to best'advantage, greatly increase output per man, and reduce cost per unit.

The particular procedures which "I have described contemplated the makingof relatively small molds which are'placed upon tongsand loweredthere-by to accurate positions on the molding-floors. in such molds the cope and drag are assembled at the molding machine and are placed as a unit upon the tongs. With large molds, however, it is customaryto assemble the cope and drag after the latter has been placed upon the floor. Where my invention is'applicd to the making of large molds, the ladle trolley 'may be utilized to transfer the drag from the point at which it is made to a point exactly above theposition which the-drag is to occupy on the floor, and'then to'lower the drag to the floor. The same trolley may then be used to move the cope to a position immediately over the drag and lower the cope onto the drag. In order to make possible accurate and uniform positioning ofthe trolley in lowering the drag and cope, 1 preferably provide the bridge crane with stops 118 and the trolley with a stop-engaging finger 120 so that the drags may be accurately locatcdon the foundry floor and the copes easi'ly'assembled thereon.

While-my invention isparticularly adapted to foundries it is not limited to such use but may be applied to any field where it is desired to create accurate assemblies-of articles by remote control. his also to be understood that my invention is not limited to the details shown or described but includes all modifications, variations and-equivalents coming within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. in -a-foundry system of the class described, means for pouring 'a row of molds comprising a pivotable pouring ladle having a pouring spout, a movable bridge, track means in fixed relationship with, a'foundry floor and supporting saidbridge above "the-foundry floor, a trolley-supporting said ladle from said bridge, an interlock between said track means and bridge for holding said bridge in one Each screw position when said ladleis relatively full, and a second interlock between said track means and bridge for hold-- ing said bridge in a second position when said ladle is relatively empty, said interlocks being spaced apart appropriately to compensate for horizontal displacement of said pouring spout resulting from pivoting movement of said ladle to substantially center the pouring spout over the mold as the ladle empties.

2. A foundry system of the class described comprising,

a foundry floor, a crane movable lengthwise thereof, a track cooperating with said crane to form a closed path, a skip movable along said closed path, mold dumping 'means adjacent said path for dumping molds into said. skip, a shake-out station adjacent said path to which said skip transfers the dumped molds, a sand reconditioning means adjacent said path for supplying said skip with sand, and means associated with said crane for locating said skip both longitudinally and transversely of said floor to form a windrow of sand thereon.

to said windrow, means carried by said crane for receiving a plurality of moldsrformed at said station, said last-named means being at substantially the height of said station, means for locating said molds accurately on said mold receiving means, means for accurately positioning said crane in different locations lengthwise of said molding floor, means for lowering said mold'receiving] means toposition the molds accurately on said floor, pouring means for said molds, said'pouring means including a ladle, andjmeans for accurately positioning said ladle relative to said molds and compensating for tilting of said ladle as' thecont'ents of said ladle is transferred to said molds, and means forsimultaneously removing a plurality ofweights and jacketsfrom certain of said molds and:

simultaneously placing them upon other molds on said floor.,

4, A foundry system comprising a crane movable lengthwise of a foundry floor, means carried by said crane for forming a windrow of sand lengthwise of said floor, a, portable molding station, means for advancing said station lengthwise of said fioor in close juxtaposition to said windrow, means carried by said crane for receiving a plurality of'molds formed at said station, said last-named means being at substantially the height of said station, means for locating said molds accurately on said mold receiving means, means for accurately positioning said crane in different locations lengthwise of said molding .fioor, means for lowering said moldreceiving means toposition'the molds accurately on said floor, pouringmeans for said molds, said pouring means including aladle, and means for accurately positioning said ladle relative to said' molds and compensating for. tilting of said.ladle'as. the contents of said ladle is transferred to said molds, means for simultaneously removing a plurality of weights and jackets from certain of said molds and simultaneously placing them upon other molds on said floor, means for simultaneously dumping a plurality of said molds, means for simultaneously transferring a plurality of dumped molds to a shake-out station, and means'at said station for simultaneously separating the castings from the sand of a' plurality of dumped molds.

5. In a foundry system 'whereinmoldsare located ona foundry floor with each mold having a predetermined and exact position on said fioor with jackets and weights on one group of molds, longitudinally extending track means, a longitudinally movable pick-up means supported by said track means above said floor for simultaneously removing jackets and weights from said one group of molds, a stop in fixed relationship to said fioorfor locating said pick-up means accurately with respect to said one group of molds, with said pick-up means carrying adjustable stop 15 means forselective engagement with said stop, means for moving said pick-up means to a position over a second group of molds, a second stop in fixed relationship to said floor for engagement with said adjustable stop means for positioning said pick-up means accurately with respectv to said second group of molds, means for lowering said pickup means to deposit the jackets and weights on the second group of molds, and means for releasing and withdrawing the pick-up means. 7

- 6. In a foundry system wherein molds are located on a foundry floor with each mold having a predetermined and exact position on said floor with-jackets and weights on one group of molds, longitudinally extending track means, alongitudinally movable pick-up means supported by said track means above said floor for simultaneously removing said jackets and weights from said one group of molds, a stop in fixed relationship to said floor for locating said pick-up means accurately with respect to said mediate position, a second stop in fixed relationship to said floor for engagement with said adjustable stop means for positioning said pick-up means accurately with respect to said intermediate position, means for lowering said pick-up means to deposit the jackets and weights at said intermediate position in a predetermined fixed relationship where they. subsequently can be picked up in this same fixed relationship, and means for releasing and withdrawing the pick-up means 7. In a foundry system wherein molds are located on a foundry floor in' longitudinally spaced, identically arranged rows with each mold having a predetermined and exact position on said floor with jackets and weights on one row of molds, means for transferring jackets and weights simultaneously from said one 'row of molds to another row of molds, said means including a longitudinally movable pick-up means having a transversely extending support surface for receiving a row of jacketsand weights in accuratetransversely spaced relationship, longitudinally extending track means supporting said pickup means above the floor, a series of fixed stops in accurate longitudinally spaced relationship to said floor,

able pick-up means for picking up a row of molds in accurate transversely spaced relationship, longitudinally extending track means supporting said pick-up means above the floor, a series of fixed stops in accurate longitudinally spaced relationship to said floor, there being one fixed stop corresponding toeach row, and adjustable stop means on said pickup means selectively cooperating with said fixed stops for locating said pick-up means in accurate operative position with respect to any desired row "of molds. f v 9; In an article-handling system wherein articles are located on, a floor in longitudinally spaced, identically arranged rows, with each article vhaving'a. predetermined and exact position on said floor, means for simultaneously picking up one row of articles and stacking it upon an other row of articles, said means including a longitudinally movable pick-up means 'for picking up a row'of articles in accuratertransversely spaced relationship, lon-. gitudinally extending trackmeans supporting said pickup means above the floor, a series of fixed stops in ac curate longitudinally spaced relationship to said floor,

seem-o 11 therebeing one fixed'stop corresponding to each'row, and adjustable stop means onsaid pick-up meansselectively cooperating withsaid fixed. stops for locatingsaid pick-up means in accurate operative position with respect to any desired row of articles.

10. In a foundry system wherein molds are located on a foundry floor with each moldhaving a predetermined and exact position on said fioor, a first stop in fixed relationship to said floor adjacent one group oftnolds on said floor and a second stop in fixed relationship to said fioor adjacent another group of molds on said floor, said groups of molds being identical in number and spacing, and said stops each being arranged identically in relation toits group, pick-up means for simultaneously picking up one of said groups of molds, said pick-up meansineluding stop means cooperating with said first stop for accurately locating said pick-up means adjacent said firstmentioned group, meansfor moving said pick-up means to a'position over the second-mentioned group, said stop means of said pick-up means cooperating with said second stop for, positioning said pick-up means accurately with respect to said second-mentioned group, and means for lowering said pick-upmeans to stack said first-mentioned group on said second-mentioned group.

11.. A foundry systemlfor handling molds a row at a time comprising means for depositing molds in longitudi nally spaced rows on a-foundry floor so that each mold has a predetermined and exact position on said floor, said means including a longitudinally movable crane for receiving a rowof molds in accurately transversely spaced relationship, longitudinally extending track means in fixedrelationship with thefoundry floor and supporting said crane above the floor, a series of fixed stops in accurate longitudinally spaced relationship, to said floor, and stop means on. said crane cooperating individually with said last-named stops and, accurately positioning said crane, for depositing rows of molds on saidfloor in accurate longitudinallyspaced rows; and .means for pouring a row of molds, ,saidIlast-named means comprising a longitudinally movable .ladle crane supported above the floor on said track means, a pivotable pouringladle, a transversely. movable. trolley supporting said ladle from said ladle crane, and stop means on said ladle crane cooperating individually with said fixed stops for accurately positioning said ladle crane with respect to any desired row ofrmolds.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the first-mentioned crane has amold-supporting surface carrying a series of. stopsin transversely spaced relationship thereon for receiving a row of molds in accurate transversely spaced relationship.

13. AIfoundry system for handling molds a rowat a timecomprising means for depositing molds in longitudinally spaced rows on .a. foundry floor so that. each .mold has a predetermined and exact position on said floor, said means including a: longitudinally movable crane supported above saidfioor for receiving a row of molds in accurately transverselyspaced relationship, a series of fixed stops in accurate longitudinally spaced relationship to said floor, and stop means onsaid crane cooperating individually with said last-narned stops and accurately positioning said cranefor depositing rows of molds on said floor in accurate longitudinally spaced rows; and means for pouring a row of molds, said last-named means comprising a longitudinally movable ladlecrane supported above the floor, a pivotable pouring ladle, a transversely movable trolley supporting said ladle from said ladle crane, and

stop means on said ladle crane cooperating individually with said fixed stopsforaccurately positioning said ladle crane with respect toany desired row ofmolds.

14. .Inafoundry. system. that includes .a crane movable longitudinally over ...a foundry (floor for picking '11P and depositing accurately spaced, molds a row at a time, a series of accurately. longitudinally spaced. stops, in. fixed relation to said floor, and stop means on said crane cooperating with said'stops for'accurately locating said crane; the method of handling 'rno'ldscomprising depositingmolds on the foundry floor in longitudinally spaced identical rows of transversely-spaced molds by means of said crane, with eachrow in identical relation witha corresponding one of said fixedstops, pouring -a plurality of rows of molds, positioning said crane longitudinally by engaging said stop means with one of said stops corresponding to one of the poured rows to pick up said one poured-row, and positioning said crane longitudinally by engaging said stop means with one of said stops correspondingto'another poured row to stack said one poured row thereon,

I 15. Ina foundry system thatincludes' a. crane movable longitudinally over a foundry floor for picking up and depositing accurately spaced jackets and weights a row at a time, a series of accurately longitudinally spaced stops in' fixed relation to said floor, and stop means on said crane cooperating with said stops for accurately locating said crane; the method comprising depositing molds on a foundry fioor in longitudinal spaced identical rows of transversely spaced molds. by means of said crane with each row in identical relation with a corresponding one of said fixed stops, depositing jackets and weights on a row of molds, pouring said row, positioning said crane longitudinally by engaging said stop means with the fixed stop corresponding to said poured row to pick up said jackets and weights, and positioning said crane longitudinally by engaging said stop means with a fixed stop corresponding to another row to deposit the jackets and weights thereon.

16. In an article-handling system that includes a crane movable longitudinally over a floor for picking up and depositing accurately spaced articles a row at a time, a series of accurately longitudinally spaced stops in fixed relation to said floor, and stop means on said crane cooperating with said stops for accurately locating said crane; the method of handling articles comprising depositing articles on the floor in longitudinally spaced identical rows of transversely spaced articles by means of said crane, with each row in identical relation with a corresponding one of said fixed stops, positioning said crane longitudinally by engaging said stop means with one of saidstops corresponding to one of the rows to pick up said one row,'and positioning said crane longitudinally by engaging said stop means with one of said stops corresponding to another row to stack said one row thereon.

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